Garnet Valley gets new principal

Stephen Brandt, center, was approved by the Garnet Valley School Board as the new high school principal. He is engaged in conversation with Joshua Heins, son of school board representative Maria Deysher. To Brandtís left is Noah, one of his three sons. At rear left is Director Ralph Goldbach and rear right Assistant Superintendent Pat Dunn.

The Garnet Valley School Board recently approved Stephen Brandt to serve as principal of Garnet Valley High School. With five directors present — making a quorum — the board unanimously voted to complete the long and deliberative selection process.

Brandt, who fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Dr. Janet Girolami, was the successful candidate of 102 initial applications narrowed to 27 candidates interviewed. All stakeholders were represented in the selection process, including administrators, teachers, staff, school board members, parents and students.

Brandt brings six years of secondary principal experience to Garnet Valley and will come to Garnet Valley from a position at Bensalem Township High School. His resume shows experience as a middle school principal and a varied teaching background having been an instructional coordinator, mathematics coordinator, and reading teacher.

“He proved to be head and shoulders above the rest of the candidates,” said district Superintendent Marc Bertrando. “We are looking forward to his expertise, energy and passion for education. He has a record of success in every environment and is very student focused. He’ll hit the ground running, and we couldn’t be more excited.”

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The agenda item for Brandt’s approval showed an annual salary of $139,000, which will be prorated according to his start date.

“It’s my hope that Mr. Brandt will officially begin his tenure early in September, but I am still working with Bensalem Township School District to secure a definitive release date. Although I don’t believe Mr. Brandt’s district will hold him for the 60-day maximum, in the event it does, Dr. Girolami has committed to work with us through the transition period,” said Bertrando.

School Director Tracy Karwoski, the board’s representative on the interview committee, was not present for the meeting, but furnished s statement.

“I have seen and heard from Stephen now on two occasions and fully believe that he has the right characteristics to fill the role. He is an extremely bright, energetic and engaging individual. I believe that he will fully immerse himself into striving to make GVHS a nationally recognized school,” said Karwoski.

Brandt is married and the father of three sons. The family resides in West Norriton. Brandt noted he has close relatives living within the Garnet Valley District. He is currently enrolled in a doctoral program at Temple University with an aptly appropriate proposal dissertation focus called “Student Transition from High School to College/University.”

Responding to the observation he has been at seven educational positions in 14 years, Brandt said, “Garnet Valley is a tremendous district. It is an honor and privilege to have been approved for this position. I’m hoping to stay awhile.”